Wisconsin payroll tax and registration guide

Updated September 25, 2023

This article will cover:

• What information OnPay needs from you
• What state and local taxes and filings OnPay handles for Wisconsin employers
• Where you can find the tax account numbers needed
• Paying employees in other states?

Why is this important?

The following information requests and registration instructions are required before you can use a payroll provider to run payroll. This is in compliance with state payroll tax regulations. Without this information, OnPay is unable to file or deposit any tax payments for your company, and will not be responsible for any resulting penalties or interest. Note: If this isn't the only state where you have employees, there will be a separate guide like this one for each state where you hire and pay workers. 

Let Middesk handle your state tax registrations (and more)

If you'd like help, our partner Middesk makes hiring employees and staying compliant with every state agency simple and easy.

• Register with every state agency to get the tax IDs you need within minutes
• Stay compliant as you grow by managing agency mail and notices in your dashboard
• Manage your government accounts in one place on Middesk's intuitive platform
• Foreign Qualify with the Secretary of State to create payroll tax accounts 

Learn more about Middesk→

What information OnPay needs from you

What state and local taxes and filings OnPay handles for Wisconsin employers

Where you can find the tax account numbers needed

If you are an existing employer who has previously run payroll in the state of Wisconsin, you likely already have the IDs and online accounts needed for OnPay to process your tax filings. 

If you are a new employer in Wisconsin, you will need to register your business with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue and Wisconsin Department of Labor. This must be completed for OnPay to be able to file and pay your Wisconsin taxes.

Withholding Tax Account Number

Existing Wisconsin Employer: 

You can find your Withholding Tax Account Number on notices received from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. If you cannot locate this document or account number, please call the Wisconsin Department of Revenue at (608) 266-2776 to request it.

New Wisconsin Employer: Register with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue 

• Visit the One Stop Business portal and click “Start Your Business”.
• Complete their survey to determine the best way to register your business.
• You will be able to register for both Wisconsin Withholding and Unemployment Taxes

Unemployment Account Number and Tax Rate

Existing Wisconsin Employer: 

• You can find your Unemployment ID on the annual Tax Rate Notice received from the Wisconsin Department of Labor. It can also be found on your Quarterly Contribution and Wage Report. 
• Your Unemployment Tax Rate can also be found on the annual Tax Rate Notice in box 2. Your rate will be in the range of 0% to 12% with a wage base of $14,000.
• Those in the construction industry or with an annual payroll over $500,000 should review this page to find their rate. 
• If you're unsure of your rate, please call the Department of Workforce Development at 1-(414)-438-5395.

New Wisconsin Employer: Register with the Wisconsin Department of Labor

• Visit the One Stop Business portal and click “Start Your Business”.
• Complete their survey to determine the best way to register your business.
• You will be able to register for both Wisconsin Withholding and Unemployment Taxes
• If you're a new employer in Wisconsin, your rate will generally be in the range of 3.05% to 3.25% with a wage base of $14,000.

Paying employees in other states?

If you operate in multiple states or just have employees working from home across a state line, it's important to file the correct state forms for those workers. See what forms we file in the states where you pay employees.

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